Mashed Potatoes of Heavenly Temptation and Chicken with Homemade Tamarind BBQ Sauce

Gabriel’s Mashed Potatoes of Heavenly Temptation

• 6-8 medium sized potatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 stick of unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup white onion, diced
• 1/4 cup yellow pepper, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, minced
• 2 Tbsp French goat cheese
• 5 strips Niman Ranch bacon
• Salt and Pepper to taste

First, peel the potatoes almost entirely, leaving just a little bit of skin for flavor. Chop into quarters, then boil rapidly until soft. Place potatoes into oven-safe heavy dutch oven. Add stick of butter and cream to potatoes and place in oven set to 250º F. Do not mash them yet.

Next, chop bacon into 1″ pieces and cook in skillet over medium heat until brown and crispy. Remove bacon from pan onto plate with paper towels.

Next, add onion and pepper to the bacon pan. Saute for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and ginger. Stir together and saute until onions are translucent (about 10 minutes).

Remove potatoes from oven. Add sauteed onion, pepper, garlic and ginger from the pan to potatoes. Mash together using a potato masher or forks until thoroughly mixed. Add 3/4 of the bacon pieces and the goat cheese to the mixture. Add sprinkling of salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Place back in oven until ready to serve.

To serve, place a portion of potatoes onto plate and top with remaining bacon pieces in an artistic manner.

Serves 4-6.